In defense of lobbying by government agencies By Bill Settlemyer A recent story and editorial in The Post and Courier reported on information recently released by the S.C. Policy Council about lobbying on behalf of state and local agencies, including municipalities and school boards.
Calendar AUG. 18:
International Association of Administrative Professionals, Charleston chapter meeting. 6 p.m., North Charleston Police Department, 4900 LaCross Road. Cost: $10, dinner. 6:45 p.m. program is free. Information: Vicky Seigler, vseigler@charlestoncounty.org, or Sue Frost, 843-202-6776.
People in the News Carolina Park of Mount Pleasant has added Julie Jensen as manager of new home sales. Jensen, of Carolina One Real Estate, has 11 years of experience in new-home sales and management.
Committee asks SPA for privatization study By Molly Parker State Sen. Glenn McConnell said he is accustomed to driving over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and looking down to see bustling activity at the Port of Charleston’s Columbus Street terminal. “Why has it gotten so quiet down there?” McConnell asked State Ports Authority president and CEO Bernard Groseclose during a legislative committee meeting earlier this month.
Hugine lawsuit claims conspiracy By Scott Miller Former S.C. State University President Andrew Hugine is airing the dirty laundry of his past employer. After months of silence since his dismissal in December, Hugine filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against S.C. State and several trustees, claiming breach of contract and defamation of character.
Condo owners suing for repairs By Scott Miller Structural defects slowly surfaced after Keli Tolley bought an apartment-turned-condo last year in West Ashley. The roof leaks. Windows do too. The city of Charleston condemned the balcony because it’s structurally unsafe.
Trash to treasure? By Molly Parker The Ginn Co. is giving new meaning to the old phrase “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” The Florida-based developer unveiled plans in late July to build an urban-style, mixed-use waterfront community on 180 acres of Charleston’s upper peninsula. Most of the land served as a county trash dump for nearly two decades.
Billion-dollar corporation buys Hospice of Charleston By Molly Parker It was 28 years ago that a group of volunteers formed the Hospice of Charleston, which has helped eased the transition into death for thousands of Lowcountry patients. Earlier this year, the nonprofit organization began facing mounting financial troubles brought on by increasing competition, a federal crackdown on Medicare payouts and a heavier-than-anticipated debt load for its new inpatient facility.
Cities, towns say travel sites owe hotel tax money By Ashley Fletcher Frampton South Carolina and some of its coastal municipalities say they have been missing out on thousands of dollars in hotel taxes annually, losing money that is earmarked for tourism promotion.
Force Protection’s international business growing By Scott Miller Ladson-based Force Protection Inc. continues to extend its reach around the globe. As it looks to expand partnerships with the United Kingdom and Iraq, Force Protection has its sights set on the Pacific Rim, the Middle East and more countries in Europe.
SCRA deal with Israel has far-reaching economic potential By Shelia Watson The S.C. Research Authority and the Israeli-based Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative have signed an agreement to collaborate on alternative and renewable energy initiatives. The collaboration could involve research companies and institutions of higher learning in South Carolina and Israel and could significantly improve the economic development in both areas.
Chefs say loss of Johnson & Wales still a challenge for area restaurants By Ashley Fletcher Frampton When Johnson & Wales University announced it would move its culinary school out of Charleston six years ago, many worried how local restaurants would rebound from the loss of a massive student work force. Since then, the culinary institute at Trident Technical College has expanded, and a new culinary school opened at the Art Institute of Charleston.
College tuition still rising across region, state By Scott Miller Few things are rising in price like a college education. In the past 10 years, the price of a gallon of gasoline has increased 272%, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. A dozen eggs costs 100% more. Electric bills are up about 39%. A loaf of bread costs 59% more.
They’ve built it, now where are the workers? By Scott Miller Cummins Turbo Technologies views itself as a solution to the work force shortage, not a detriment to it, company President Jim Lyons said. His thoughts are similar to the “Field of Dreams” philosophy: “If you build it, they will come.”
Working professionals lend hand to local colleges By Molly Parker Along with thousands of S.C. students, a good number of working professionals also are heading back to school this fall. Peter Farrell, a lieutenant with the Charleston Police Department, said it seemed a natural transition to take his work experience into the classroom. This fall he begins his sixth year teaching criminal justice part time at Trident Technical College.
New face of economic development By Molly Parker Falling into the world of economic development was somewhat of an accident for Jon Baggett, the new face of Dorchester County’s business and industrial recruitment efforts.
Marketing Matters: Use a little anxiety to motivate your team By Elizabeth L. Boineau Most everyone I know is feeling a tad anxious these days about the state of our economy, wondering when we’ll start to crawl out of both the financial oppression and the altered mood that comes with it.
Career Coach: Pursue the change you want for yourself and your career By Barbara Poole My great-aunt Richanda knows what it means to believe. At the tender young age of 89, Anda is as spirited and full of life as she was when I first met her. My parents had just moved us back east to Virginia, and I was all of 4 years old.
From politics to philanthropy: Sally Ehrenfried By Holly Fisher When Sally Ehrenfried was in the fourth grade, she wrote a letter to presidential candidate Jimmy Carter. After Carter was elected, Ehrenfried received an invitation to his inauguration. Ehrenfried still has that invitation, a paper symbol of the start of her lifelong interest in public policy. The Maine native went on to earn a degree in political science from Bates College in her home state. She then spent 13 years in Washington working for U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell of Maine and as a personal assistant to U.S. Sen. Ronald Wyden of Oregon.
